Effects of a traditional lifestyle on the cardiovascular risk profile: theAmondava population of the Brazilian Amazon. Comparison with matched African, Italian and Polish populations

Objective To determine the relationships between lifestyle and cardiovascul ar risk factors among the Brazilian Amondava, one of the world's most isola ted populations. Design Cross-sectional, population-based study. Four age- and sex-matched s amples from Brazil Africa, Italy and Poland, representing different levels of modernization, were compared. Body weight, height, blood pressure, serum cholesterol and glycaemia were measured, and a standard questionnaire admi nistered. Data concerning dietary habits and physical activity were collect ed. A personal socio-economic score was calculated, on the basis of type of economy, level of formal education, type of occupation, type of habitat, a vailability of piped water and electricity, main source of income, housing conditions, availability of radio, television or personal computer, knowled ge of a second language, and organized health facilities. Setting Primary epidemiological screening, at an institution. Results Among the Amondava blood pressure was always <140/90 mmHg, it did n ot increase with age and was not correlated with any other variable; 46.6% of subjects had systolic blood pressure <100 mmHg. Blood pressure among the Amondava (109.6 +/- 11.1/69.5 +/- 6.4 mmHg) was on average lower (P < 0.00 01) than in all other samples. Among the Amondava, the concentration of tot al cholesterol was always <200 mg/dl, i.e. similar to that of Africans whos e diet included large amounts of vegetable foodstuffs; 90% had glycaemia (< 80 mg/dl), and their mean value was the lowest (55.1 +/- 14.9 mg/dl) of all the groups. Conclusions In addition to a possible genetic predisposition not analysed i n this study, a traditional lifestyle (no contact with civilization, diet b ased on complex carbohydrates and vegetables, high energy expenditure) may protect against the development of hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia, and diabetes. J Hypertens 1999, 17:749-756 (C) Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.